Hammersee

The Hammersee is the largest freshwater lake on the East Frisian Islands and a unique biotope. The lake marks the spot where the island was divided in two during a severe storm tide, the Petriflut in 1651. At first, a few dunes south of the breach connected the two parts of the island. But each subsequent storm surge reduced this delicate connection until it too was lost. Thus the people of Juist had to live on two islands for a long time. It was not until 1932 that the separated island parts could be reconnected by a dyke. Today, the so-called hammer dunes are among the most beautiful dunes on Juist and it is only recognisable to the expert that these dunes were not created by nature but by human hand. The hammer was now a large bay. There was always the danger that a storm surge could break through the newly built chain of dunes.

So it was decided to seal off the bay to the North Sea side as well in 1927. Because the demand for sand was very high, a light railway track was laid to the dune construction site. Four years later, the construction work was completed and the two parts of the island were finally connected. In the low bay between the Hammer dunes and the new Hammer dike, the salt water from a storm tide remained and formed a lake whose salinity was degraded over time by rainwater. This created the largest freshwater lake on the East Frisian islands. Today, the Hammersee is slowly becoming smaller and smaller as it silts up more and more, especially towards the west. It is a biotope of the first order, with numerous animal and plant species settling here. You can observe this from the viewing platforms in the north and south. There is a small hiking trail around the Hammersee. The name is derived from the Frisian word "hammer" meaning "low-lying, damp meadow".

The Hammersee is located in protection zone 1 (quiet zone) of the national park. Please pay attention to the signposts! A marked hiking trail leads you around this lake, which is unique on the East Frisian Islands. Dogs must be kept on a leash - as is the case everywhere on the island.